WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Junior Jacob Deitz led a top three Whitworth sweep in the men\'s competition today at the Whitman College Invitational, leading the Pirates to an easy team victory in the competition that featured three schools. Whitworth\'s Julie Lauterbach was the top finishing collegiate individual in the women\'s race, but the Pirates finished a close second to the host Missionaries. Deitz ran the men\'s six kilometer course in 19:46.57 to edge teammates Jeff Grassley, who finished in 19:49.28, and incoming freshman Dusty Caseria, who finished third in the race in 19:49.82. Travis Huskisson took fifth place (20:08.19), while Alex Olschner was seventh (20:09.31). By placing five runners among the top seven individuals, Whitworth easily won the team competition with a score of 18 points. Whitman finished second (48), followed by Northwest Nazarene (74).
Whitworth Men Roll to Season Opening Win
Sep 02, 2006
Whitworth Cross Country Set to Open 2006 Season
Aug 31, 2006
Whitworth College head cross country coach Toby Schwarz has taken the 2006 Pirate team on a philosophical shift. Once a program based simply on participation and numbers, Schwarz has streamlined his program to focus on commitment and quality. \"After eight years of building a team from a dozen runners in 1998 to 54 total student-athletes in 2005, the size of the roster became as much of a hindrance as a benefit as we pursued the goals of the program,\" said Schwarz. Instead of welcoming between 50 and 60 students to fall camp this August, Schwarz brought in 24 women and 17 men who had committed to a rigorous offseason training program.